About Us

Our Mission, Staff & Contact

Our Mission

Exercise, Educate, Empower.

We strive to empower and support individuals impacted by Parkinson’s and related movement disorders with their care partners, families & healthcare professionals.

We ensure that everyone with Parkinson’s or a related disorder has access to responsive, compassionate, and quality care. We are committed to fostering awareness and creating a supportive community so that those with Parkinson’s disease never feel alone. We encourage people to get involved through educational programs, movement activities, and events.

Our Pillars

Providing Support, Education,
and Care for Parkinson’s Disease

Community

You are not in this alone. With over 70 groups across Michigan, we can connect you with a Parkinson’s support group in your area. Explore our community events and volunteering efforts.

Exercise

Exercise is linked to reduced risk of Parkinson’s, slower progression, and can help manage symptoms. Join us for free virtual exercise classes six days a week, or take part in our walkathon events.

Respite

We provide respite care assistance, medication assistance, care consultations, mindfulness programs, and other resources for caregivers. Our Helpline is available weekdays from 9-5 when you need support.

Education

We are dedicated to spreading awareness and providing educational resources for people with Parkinson’s and their families. Request an information packet for guidance on managing Parkinson’s Disease.

Request Information Packet

Meet Our Staff

Kristin Rossi

Chief Executive Officer

Kellee Johnson

Director of Operations

Angee Ludwa, MPT

Director of Exercise

Julia Wall

Director of Education

Rita Dachs

Administrative Coordinator

Alison Chance

Development Manager

Stephanie Woznak, LMSW

Social Worker

Torrey Davenport, DPT

Northern Michigan Programs Manager

Not Pictured: Meri Sheen, Database Manager

Board of Directors 2023

Jeff Laethem

Chairman

President, Ray Laethem Motor Village, Grosse Pointe/Detroit

Jason M. Schwalb, M.D., FAANS, FACS

President

President, Board of Directors
Surgical Director, Movement Disorder & Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers
Henry Ford Medical Group
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Wayne State University
President, Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative

Lawrence Millman, CPA

Treasurer

Treasurer, Board of Directors
Chairman, Finance Committee
Principal, Grant, Millman and Johnson, P.C., Novi

Deanna Hatmaker, MSA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Vice Chair

Managing Director
Midwest People Development

Brian True

Vice Chairman

Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
Vice President
Lee & Associates Real Estate, Royal Oak

Vice Chairman, Board of Directors Vice President Lee & Associates Real Estate, Royal Oak

Kristin Rossi

Chief Executive Officer

Michigan Parkinson Foundation

Paul A. Cullis, M.D.

Chief of Neurology
Ascension Health Michigan

Jeffrey Appel, Esquire

Attorney, Private Practice, Southfield

David Floore

Owner, Lance Industries, Inc.,

Gary Gavin

Vice President Key & Large Group Sales
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Edwin B. George, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine
Director of the Movement Disorders Center at Wayne State University and the John D. Dingell Veterans Administration Hospital; Past Chairman, MPF Professional Advisory Board

Suzanne Holguin, RN

Support Group Liaison to the Board, Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula
Assessment Nurse, Friendship Center, Petoskey

Nate Jolliff, CSCP

Sr. Program Manager, Material Logistics Engineering, Stellantis

Mary Sue Lanigan

Immediate past Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Parkinson Foundation

Peter A. LeWitt, M.D.

Chairman, Professional Advisory Board
Past President, Board of Directors
Director of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program, Henry Ford Hospital
Movement Disorder Specialist, Henry Ford Hospital
Professor of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Honorable Sara Schimke

Macomb County Probate Court Judge

Danette Taylor, DO, MS

Movement Disorder Specialist
Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

Jacqueline Thompson

Marketing and Communications Executive

Richard Winkelman

Director of Community Operations at AJR Communities

Professional Advisory Board 2023

Jason M. Schwalb, M.D., FAANS, FACS

Stuart Blatt, PhD, PT

Physical Therapist
CEO Blatt Rehabilitation Consultants

Laurie Boore-Clor, M.D.

Geriatric Psychiatrist
Henry Ford Health

Hayden Boyce, M.D.

Neurosurgeon
Spectrum Health

Bisena Bulica, D.O.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Neurologist
Henry Ford Health

Kelvin Chou, M.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology, Director, Deep Brain Stimulation Clinic,
Co-Director, Movement Disorder Clinic, University of Michigan Medical Center
University of Michigan

Tim Collier, PhD

MSU Neuroscience Program,
BioMolecular Science (Cell and Molecular Biology)
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Brian Cooper, OTR

Occupational Therapist
Residential Home Health

Paul A. Cullis, M.D., F.A.A.N.

Chief of Neurology, Ascension Health Michigan

Aaron Ellenbogen, DO, MPH

Movement Disorder Specialist
Michigan Institute of Neurological Disorders

Doree-Ann V. Espiritu, MD

Geriatric Psychiatrist
Henry Ford Health System

Karen Freshwater, PA-C

Neurology, Bronson Methodist & Children’s Hospital
Bronson Neuroscience Center

Edwin B. George, MD., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine,
Harper University Hospital and the John D. Dingell Veterans Administration
Hospital in Detroit and is Director of the Movement Disorders Center at
Wayne State University and the John D. Dingell Veterans Administration Hospital;
Detroit Medical Center of Neurology

John Goudreau, D.O., Ph.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology
and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Michigan State University School of Human Medicine and
School of Osteopathic Medicine
MSU Department of Neurology & Ophthalmology

Shana Krstevska, M.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Henry Ford Health System; Assistant Professor of Neurology,
Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Henry Ford Health System

Dr. Peter LeWitt, M.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Henry Ford Hospital.
Professor of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Neepa Patel, M.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Associate Professor
Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

Parag G. Patil, M.D. Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Anesthesiology and Biomedical Engineering
Associate Chair, Clinical and Translational Research
Director, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship
University of Michigan

Barbara Pickut, MD, MPH

Movement Disorder Specialist
Michigan State University
Department of Neurology

Erich Richter, M.D.

Lead Physician, Functional Neurosurgery
Covenant Health Care

Cornelius Robens, M.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Neurologist
Mercy Health and Munson Healthcare

Ashok Sriram, M.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Neurologist
Mercy Health and Munson Healthcare

Danette Taylor, DO, MS

Movement Disorder Specialist
Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

Denise Van Etten, RN

Nurse Clinician, Memorial Healthcare Hospital

Kara J. Wyant, M.D.

Movement Disorder Specialist
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
University of Michigan

Glenna Yaroch MBA, PT

Franchise Owner
Yaroch Senior Services 408, LLC
Home Instead Senior Care®

Laura Zeitlin LMSW

Clinical Social Worker
Movement Disorders Surgery Program
University of Michigan Health System

Our 990 Tax Forms

Partnerships

Contact Us

More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's Disease.
You are not alone in your journey. We invite you to connect with us.

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